This was a very interesting week. Many, many meetings. Some with very interesting folks, others not so much. I did have an extensive conversation with a senior gentleman by the name of James Campbell, who is truly remarkable. Mr. Campbell donated his papers and most of his extensive Marxist/African Liberation library to Avery some years back. Here's a guy who is committed to radical education-truly liberating Black minds. He went to school at the Bank Street teacher's college, way back when--he's 85 years old! He has trained teachers around the globe, and he and his wife raised their children in Tanzania. He has deep ties at Avery--is mother and aunts were Avery grads--so he comes from a Black family of affluence. Yet his privileged background did not deter his dream of teaching and truly liberating our people. We talked for a couple of hours about his work as a labor organizer ( he truly is a fish out of water here--we didn't even get Labor Day off!), and the ongoing struggle of our people. I truly feel blessed to have the chance to get to know him.
Meeting him truly lifted my spirits because I had just found out that my mentor and former Dartmouth professor, Professor W. W. Cook has been hospitalized with Alzheimer's Disease. Such a shame. This man is so amazing--so colorful and full of life. He taught me so much about the importance of being a good teacher, as well as scholar. That was tough to hear.
I am still at work now. The South East Virtual Institute for Health, and Wellness held their inaugural meeting here at Avery and it was a great chance for me to meet some of the key Charleston ( African-American) players. I look forward to working with them on some collaborative projects some time soon.
Avery is truly a special place. I know I have a dubious task, but I welcome the endless possibilities. Selah.
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